The first four-cylinder petrol engine to employ BMW's TwinPower Turbo technology is closely modeled after the Bavarian firm's force-fed in-line six-cylinder units and features an all-aluminium crankcase, twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct injection, plus the latest version of the company's patented VALVETRONIC variable valve control system.
As with other M Sport Package models in the range, the upgrades for the X1 will include a host of unique styling cues inside and out, plus larger alloy wheel designs shod in wider tires and a sports tuned suspension.
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Crime fighters in blue will be able to get behind the wheel of cars such as BMW 330d Saloon and Touring, 530d Saloon and Touring, all variants of X1, X3 xDrive20d, X5 xDrive30d and xDrive40d, while the R1200 RF-P Police bike is also on the menu.
Aside from the latest 5 Series models, which are an all-new addition to Police fleets, BMW also announced a specially modified 330d Saloon Interceptor as its High Performance Pursuit Vehicle.
As everyone who has played with the famous colored bricks knows, with LEGO, nothing is impossible. Not even a full-size replica of a BMW X1 that was created by 800 children aged between 5 and 13 years old (with a little help from the Bavarian automaker's staff of course) who visited the BMW Welt in Munich last week. The build of the yellow-colored X1 took four days and approximately 165,000 LEGO bricks to complete.The project was not only fun for the young participants but also served a good cause as for every LEGO block that was used, BMW donated a specific amount of money to the Munich children's foundation "Die Arche".
The finished X1 replica made out of LEGO bricks will go on display for the public to see alongside the automaker's real-life vehicles at the BMW Welt Plaza, from November 25.
It won't be long before AC Scnitzer goes all crazy on the Bavarian automaker's new X1 with numerous mechanical upgrades and styling accessories, but for the time being, the seasoned BMW tuner has presented three new sets of alloy wheels for the compact-sized SUV/crossover. Depending on the design they choose, buyers can opt for 18-, 19- or 20-inch versions of the alloy wheels. Hit the break for the complete photo gallery.
After the presentation of the all-new X1 SUV, BMW's engineers are now busy preparing the second-generation X3 which is due to arrive in international markets in 2011. Based on the next 3-Series platform architecture, the new X3 bears the codename F25 and will come with all-wheel drive or as BMW calls it, xDrive. It is possible though that just like the smaller X1, the Bavarian automaker may also offer rear-wheel drive only variants of its compact SUV. Th
e introduction of the X1 in BMW's SUV range should result in an increase of the X3's exterior dimensions in order to further differentiate the two models. As it stands now, the Bavarian SUVs are similar in size, with the X1 being just 4.5 inches (114 mm) shorter, 2.2 inches (55 mm) narrower and 5.1 inches (130 mm) lower than the current X3.
While the prototype model's funky disguise does not reveal much about the design, it is expected that the new X3 will do away with the current model's flame-surface styling adopting many design cues from BMW's latest vehicles such as the 7-Series as well as the Concept CS. As for the interior, buyers should look forward to higher quality materials and a more contemporary design for the dashboard.
There'll be a wide engine range to choose from, with gasolines ranging from the 170HP 2.0-litre four-banger to a range-topping 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six while the diesel line-up will include numerous four- and six-cylinder engines.
It has also been reported that the next-generation X3 will gain a hybrid variant featuring a gasoline engine and a high-performance electric motor that will allow the vehicle to to be driven on electric power only, on the combustion engine alone, or with a combination of both power units.
Whereas the current X3 is built under contract by Magna Steyr in Austria, the new compact SUV will be manufactured at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina alongside the X5 and X6 models.
As well as publishing the official photos and specs of the X1, BMW has also confirmed pricing on its new compact SUV for many European markets. In Germany, the entry-level, rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive18i petrol model will go on sale in Europe from the beginning of 2010 with a starting price of €27,200. The range topping, all-wheel drive xDrive28i with its 258HP straight six gasoline engine is priced from €41,500 or 7.3 percent (€3,400) less than the 272HP X3 xDrive30i. Since the X3 is not offered with the option of rear wheel drive, we can only compare the xDrive variants of the two vehicles. Both the xDrive18d and 20d are priced around 10 percent lower than the respective X3 models.
But how does the X1 compare price-wise with other compact SUVs in Germany? As we said before, the base X1 RWD sDrive18i, which should logically come with a 143HP 2.0-liter petrol, costs €27,200.
In comparison, the entry-level, front-wheel drive VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI 140HP is priced at €26,050 while the basic Toyota RAV4 that is moved by a 2.0-liter with 158HP, costs €23,200.
The base all-wheel drive diesel version of the X1, the 143HP xDrive18d that should be one of most popular versions in Europe, begins from €31,550. That's compared to the VW Tiguan 140HP TDI 4Motion's starting price of €29,600 and the Toyota RAV4 150HP 2.2-liter D-4D's €27,300.
Price Comparison X1 vs X3 in Germany
BMW X1 sDrive18i €27,200 -
BMW X1 sDrive18d €29,550 -
BMW X1 xDrive18d €31,550 - BMW X3 xDrive18d €35,550 (+ €4,000)
BMW X1 sDrive20d €32,400 -
BMW X1 xDrive20d €34,400 - BMW X3 xDrive20d €38,300 (+ €3,900)
BMW X1 xDrive23d €38,800 -
BMW X1 xDrive28i 258HP €41,500 - BMW X3 xDrive30i 272HP €44,900 (+ €3,400)
Confirming previous reports, BMW announced today that the all-new X1 SUV is planned to go on sale in the United States in 2011. The Bavarian automaker said that specific details on the U.S. market version including engine and drivetrain configurations will be revealed closer to the time of launch. The X3's smaller brother will arrive in BMW's European showrooms this fall with a choice of four engines, including a 258HP straight six petrol and three 2.0-liter four banger diesels with 204HP, 177HP and 143HP.In a first for a BMW SUV model, the X1 will be available in rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. Stay tuned on Carscoop as we're readying a more detailed post on the X1 that will include a mega gallery along with the first official video.
